Patterns of the Mind

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:1-2)

Another week has come and gone.  I would like to take a look at our spiritual temperature by asking the one question I want you to become familiar with.

What is God doing in your life? When you reflect back on the week, what do you see?  Have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life?  Have you seen God use the verses you have applied to memory?  Have you seen God show up in a specific way in your life?  If so, I would love to hear about it.  Please drop me a line and let me know what God has done in your life.

One thing that is becoming increasingly clear to me is where my focus needs to be.  I continue to learn this on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.  I look back on this week and once again see how much God is reminding me to be focused on things that are eternal.  This stuff down here on earth is really just a glimpse of what is to come.  I can’t get my heart and mind entangled in things that don’t last forever.  God has called me to set my heart and mind on Him.
Why does the verse say heart and mind? Why not focus on just the heart or just the mind like many other passages in Scripture?  Well, let’s take a look at that and find out.

“…set your hearts on things above…”  ~verse 1

I believe inside our hearts lie the intentions, the desires, the emotions, and the passions of man.  Our drive to excel exists within our heart.  Our happiness, sadness, love, mercy, etc. all exist within our heart.  The motivation to succeed in life begins at the core of our heart.  God calls us to set these things in our hearts on Him.  He calls us to align our emotions, desires, and intentions with His heart for us.

Are we loving others like God loves them?  Are we forgiving others like God forgives others?  Do our desires line up with His Word?  It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the things on this earth that just don’t matter.  The things that cause us to be bitter, angry, judgmental, frustrated, unmotivated, unloving, and unkind.  But God has called us to a standard where our hearts are to be set on Him.  His standard calls us to so much more than this world can offer.  I’m tired of being distracted by the world’s meaningless toys and temporary satisfaction.  I want the things of God that truly satisfy.  The things that last.  The things that can heal my heart and help me become more like Christ. Let’s look at what it means to set our minds on things above.

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” ~verse 2

The mind is where decisions are made, a place where thoughts are given life, the place where doubt can seep in, the place where logic and reasoning fight for the right answer, the place where understanding is formed, the place where wisdom is developed.  The mind developed in Christ is a powerful tool.  Let’s look at a verse that talks about the mind.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

We are called again to God’s standard.  We can’t be conformed to the pattern of this world.  This world wants to suck us in and make us think things that don’t line up with God’s Word.  We need to check our Spiritual Temperature.  Are we going to be on fire for God?  Are we going to give God the opportunity to transform our minds, so we can think more clearly?  A mind of Christ is one that is developed in purity, surrendered to God’s direction, and ready to respond in love.  Let’s start clearing our minds of things that don’t line up with God’s Word, so that we can better test and approve what God’s will is for us.

Let’s start thinking on the things that God has called us to think on…

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praise worthy–think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

This is what our thoughts should look like and when we have our minds set on things above… we will start to have thoughts that look a little more like this verse.  Let’s start today!  Let’s make this week a time to think on things that are true, things that are noble, things that are right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praise-worthy.  Anything that does not fit into one of these categories should not entertain our thoughts, as it does not please God and doesn’t deserve our time.

May this be a week we set our hearts and minds on Christ!  I’m looking forward to a week of setting my Spiritual Temperature a little higher by placing my mind and my heart on things above.  I welcome you take this journey with me!

Dear Father God, I set my heart on Your desires for me.  I pray that You will continue to adjust my attitude, my behavior, and my desires to please You.  May my mind continue to be transformed by Your Word and may I learn how to focus on thoughts that are pure, lovely, right, true, and excellent.  May my thoughts reflect the glory of Your Son!  I offer my mind and my heart to You.  Help me to pattern them after all that I see in Your Word!

Refocusing my Mind and my Heart on things above,